Scraper loading device



Oct; 2, 1928;

' C. E. DAVIS scmrna LOADING DEVICE "Original Filed Feb. 29,, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet (Tet. 2, 1 928.

C. E. DAVIS SCRAPER LOADING bEvIcE bri i al Filed Feb; 29, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Get. 2, I928,

. 1,6347 c. E. DAVIS SCR/APER LOADING DEVICE or inal Filed Feb.'29,' 1924 s Sheets-Sheet a Oct. 2, 1928. I v I c; E.I:A\ns

SCRAPER LOADING DEVICE 5 SheefS-Slgee't 4 Original Filed Feb. 29 1924 in @55 d erberiwuvm/ 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 c. E. DAVl-s scmmm LOADING omen Original Filed Feb. 29, 1924 mm. H wm h MQJ W k a h .\|.ll

Oct. 2,

Patented Oct. 21928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. DAvIs, or DA E PORT, FLORIDA, AssIGNOn T0 GOODMAN IIIANurAc'rua- INe COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIs, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

' senArEn LOADING DEVICE.

Application fi led February" 29, 1924, Serial No. 695,895. Renewed June 29, 1927.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for scraper loading devices and more particularly to scraper loading apparatus for use in mines.

The principal Object of the present invention is to provide a device to assist in the loading operation and also to transport the scraper and its guiding means from place to place in the mine. More specifically, the invention consists in the provision of a wheeled device havin self-contained powerdevices therein and ac apted to be used as a loading chute for elevating the scraper and transferring the material from the scraper I to be discharged into a car at a point above the level of the mine floor, which device may also be used as a means for transporting the scraper and its guiding devices from one place to another in the mine.

The invention maybe best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one form in which it may be embodied.

\ In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of the improved loading chute and transporting device showing it in position for loading adjacent a mine car.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the chute shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1 but with a scraper and guiding device loaded thereon for transporting.

Figure .4 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a typical installation of the appa ratus in a mine room. I I Figure 5 is a side view of the-apparatus shown in F igu're-i.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the power transmission mechanism taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1. 1

Figure Wisa detail of the conveyor device.

Figure 8 is a detail, of the conveyor adjusting mechanism.

The apparatus forming thesubject matter I of the present invention. is particularly adapted for use in coal mines using'the room and pillar system of mining, in which the coal is removed from rooms extended laterally from galleries or entries along which the" transportation -.-:-1ines extend In the adaptation-of scraper loading devices tothe room and pillar systemof mining the coal is gathered from the working face in the tered in the operation of scraper devices was 6 that of providing a readily paratus which might be readily and quickly moved from room to room. This is especially so in the case where a loading chute transportable apof substantial elevation is necessary as well as the more or less heavy and substantial'apparatus and mechamsm required for moving and gu1d1ng the scraper 1n 1ts loadmg operation.

In the present invention I provide a com bined loading chute and transporting device preferably movable along the mine track, which device includes thereon suitablepower devices for actuating the draft lines ofthe scraper. The device is also adapted to provide transportation thereon for the scraper and its guiding and controlling mechanism, being particularly adapted for use with a moving headframe such as is shown and described in my prior application 35 bearing Serial Number 638,232, filed May 11, 1923, although its use is not limited to such a type of controlling apparatus.- As herein illustrated, the moving headframe or scraper guiding mechanism is adapted to be moved underits own power to the working face remote from the loading chute, but

when it is desired to transport the entire apparatu's to another room the headframe and scraper may be loaded directlyupon my 1m proved formof chute which for purposes or transportation is readily convertible into a wheeled truck having a minimum overall height so as to be readily moved and handled under low roof conditions such as are 1' often encountered in mines.

Referring now 'to details of theinvention i shown in the drawings, the combination loading chute and transporting device comprises a main frame 1 having apair of axles '2, 2 with supporting wheels 3, 3 preferably flangedfor movement along the minetrack' 4. Mounted over the frame 14s a longltudinal runway-consisting of lower and upper parts, '5 and 6. The lower part 5 is pivot no position ally supported intermediate its ends .on the forward portion of the frame, as for instance by the brackets 7, 7 pivotally mounted on the front axle 2. The part when in inclined position shown in Figure 1 forms the lower portion of the inclined loading chute having its foremost end adapted to engage the mine floor beyond the ends of the track 4. As herein shown a lower end portion 8 is hinged at 9 to the main body portion of part 5 so as to be adjustable to variations in the mine floor, but limited in downward. movement by arms 8, 8. The part 5 is supported in its inclined position by suitable means such asan arm 10 movable into supporting position underneath the upper end of said part, as shown in Figure 1. When used as a transportation device, part 5 is movable into substantially horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3, by swinging the supporting arm 10 downwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in the latter figure.

As shown herein, part 5 of the loading chute is relatively wide at its front end and converges rearwardly toward the upper portion 6 of the chute so that the scraper will be guided in its upward. movement between the upright walls 11, 11 of the-lower part 5 and the upright walls 12, 12 of the upper part 6.

The upper runway 6 constitutes a receiving and discharging receptacle for the loose material deposited therein by the scraper in its reciprocable movement. A conveyor device is provided on its'bottom, as for instance comprising a pair of conveyor flights 15, 15 extending longitudinally of said member and adapted to carry the material deposited thereon toward the rear for discharge into a mine car, as shown in Figure 1'. The conveyor devices may be of any suitable construction, as herein shown comprising a pair of conveyor. chains 16, 16 movable over front and rear sprockets 17 and 18 and having conveyor bars 19, 19

- spaced at intervals between the chains 16, 16.

The upper part 6 ispivotally connected to the main frame 1 on an axis concentric with the front conveyor sprocket 17 so that the said part may be adjusted in inclined positions, as shown in Figure 1, or may be lowered into. substantially horizontal position, as shown in Figure 4. The position of the part 6 is controlled by a pair of upright supports, 20, 20, providing an adjustable support connecting said part with the main frame. Said part may thus be adjusted to various heights of the cars into which the material is loaded and may also be lowered to a minimum overall height when the appai atus is being transported from place to place. Any sultable means may be prov ded to hold the part 6 in its various positions of ad ustment. In the illustration herein shown (Figure 1) a plurality of holes 20 are provided in the member 20. A pin 21 is provided ,to pass through any one'of the holes 20 in the member 20 and a corresponding hole in the frame 1 to support the members 20 on the frame 1. It may thus be seen that'this forms a simple adjustable support for the part 6 so that said part may be adjusted for various heights of mine cars encountered. Suitable driving connections are provided for the conveyor. As shown herein a compensating device is provided at the rear end of the conVe or so that the latter may be driven in all tions of the pivotally movable part 6. This compensating device is shown in detail in permissible posi- Figure 8 in which it will be observed that the chain sprockets 18, .18 are mounted on shaft 22 extending across-therear end of the movable part 6. A rocking arm 23 is pivotally supported on one end of the shaft 22. A gear wheel 25 is keyed to the shaft 22 and is meshed with a gear 26 mounted on a stub shaft 24 carried by the rocking arm'23. A sprocket 27 is keyed to the gear 26. The movement of the rocking arm 23 is adjustable about. the axis of the shaft 22 by means of a slotted member 28 connected at the free end of the rocking arm 23 and adjustable in position by means of a bolt 29 secured to the side plate 12 of the chute. This arrange ment affords a compensating adjustment for a driving chain 30 trained over the sprocket 27 and a driving sprocket 31 connected to a motor, as will hereinafter appear. By adjusting the position of the rocking arm 23 the drive chain 30 may be maintained in the proper tension in all permissible positions of the pivoted chute 6, as may be seen by comparison with Figures 1 and 4.

A rope guide or sheave 35 is mounted on a bracket at the rear or upper end of the chute party 6 and centrally thereof. This sheave preferably extends beyond the end oft-he chute and has the draft lines of the scraper trained thereabout. As shown herein the bracket 36 is secured to the chute intermediate the parallel conveyors.

The actuating devices on my. improved and is operatively' connected thereto by means of a sliding clutclrmember 47.

I The'main driving clutch 44 may be of any suitable construction. As shown herein it comprises a multiple disc friction clutch in which the friction is controlled by a rotat- 1,ese,147

ablecam member 48' engaging a cam seat 49 adjustable longitudinally of the shaft by means of a threaded nut 50. The gear pinionis operatively connected to a gear 52 through the idler gear 51. Gear 52 is keyed on shaft 53 havin a winding drum 54 loosely -mounted tliereon and-- "operatively connected to the shaft by'means of a sliding clutch member 55.. Means are also-provided for propelling the frame on the mine track including a chain sprocket 57 loosely mounted atthe outer end of shaft 53 and connected thereto by a sliding clutch nrember 58." A

' drive chain is trained over the sprocket "57 and a similar sprocket 60 fixed on the rear axle 2 of the mainframe.

A pivoted extension 65 is provided at the rear-end of the frame and is arranged so vthat it forms a platform fin the operator when transporting the device from place to place. This member 65 is hinged so that it maybe raised but oft-he way, as shown in Figure 1. A longitudinal roller 66 is mounted beneaththe rear end of themain frame l. This roller is adjustable vertically, being raised from the track during movement of the truck, but lowered during the loading operation, to provide a stabilizing support for the overhanging rear portion of the main frame. I

'The operation of the device as applied to a, typical mine employing the roomand pillarsystem ofmining is shown in Figures 4 and 5;; A mine room-79 is formed at an angle. from the entry or gallery71 along which the car tracks 72, 72'extend. A stub switch track 7 3 extends into the room entry or'room neck 74. a sufficient distance to support the loading devices in a lateral direction position to overhang with the rear end in the mine cars' 75, 75. Y

The material is dislodged by the usual mining methods at the far end or WOIklHQ,

.face of the room as indicated at 76. The

apparatus for gathering and transporting this loose material from the working face to the entry herein consists of a scraper 77 preferably having an open bottom as shown; and moved reciprocably by a headrope 78 and a tailrope 79; The guiding apparatus includes a head frame 80' having traction devices 81, 81, and a steering wheel 82 whereby said frame may be moved univer- "sally over the mine floor and provide lateral support for the scraper at any desired point as it is moved horizontally thereabout and' forced into the pile of loose material to.

gather its load. the form shown the tail rope 79' is wound on a drum-83 carried by thefhead frame and is trained about a sheave 84 on a rocking arm 85 against which the rear end-of the scraper isadapted to have engagement while moving about the head frame. Details of the construction of the head frame are disclosed in my copending filed May 11, 1923, and need not, be further described herein asit forms no essential part of the present invention. I The head rop'e 78 is trained over a sheave 35 at the upper end of the runway on the loading chute and from thence extends to the winding drum 54 (see -Figure 6) associated with the power devices, as hereinabove described. The arrangement vis suchthat when in the loading position as shown in Figures 41 and "5- the scraper is drawn forwardly with its load ontothe in cli ne'd chute formedof the lower portion-5 and the uppergportion 6 arranged in-alignment with each other, as shown. 1 When thescraper reaches the upper portion. 6 its forward movement is discontinued by throwing out the clutch 55. of'ithe actuating devices, the material in the scraper then being 'in position over the conveyor devices in the upper member 6. .These conveyor devices are usually operated, continuously so as to pickup the loose material deposited by the scraper and discharge itover the upper end' then requires minimum'head room and may.

be readily transported. over the tracks to the next room entrance Where the loading operation is 'to be repeated. The -truck is propelled under its own. power by engaglng clutch member 58 with drive sprocket 57.

Although my invention is adapted for use in connection with a movable head frame such as is herein illustrated, it will be understood that in its broadest A conceptionjt may also be used in connection with other scraper devices and apparatus, in all instances providing a convenient transportable loading chute as well as a most convenient means -for transporting the scraper apparatus. Heretofore, such appa ratusflhas been moved from place to place either by loading .it on an ordinary truck one form in which In invention may be embodied it will be un erstood that the construction and arrangement of the various parts'may be altered without departing from especially Although I have shown and described- Uri 'the a pended claims its spirit and scope, I do not therefore, wishto be understood as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated" and described, excepting as maybe limited in I'c' aim as my invention: N H J 1.4'A combined loading hute' and trans- "ortationilevice comprising a wheeled truck aving a main" frame. mien inclined chute on said frame comprising pjprpertand lower port ons normally in. alignment with each other, thelowerpoition being mounted for ,rocking movementintermediate its ends on saidmainframe and ad ustable into "sublfigs tantia lly horizontal position with its upper portions normally m alignment with each other, the lower portionhaving'its extreme end adapted toengage the ground, and means affording rocking movement of said lowe portion bodil about a transverse axis inter ediate its en s.

3. A combined loading chute and trans-- I ortin device com risin a wheeled truck adapted for movement on mine tracks having 'a. main frame and an inclined chute on said frame comprising upper and lower portions normally in alignment with each other, the lower portion having its extreme end adapted toengage the ground below the level of the track, and means aflording rocking movementvof said lower portion bodily about' a transverse axis intermediate its ends. 7

4. A device for handling loose material comprising a portable power device and an incline-mounted thereon comprising two portions normally in alignment witheach other, means permitting rocking movement of the lower portion about a transverse axis, intermediate its ends conveyor mechanism along the bottom of the upper portion adapted to. discharge material rearwardly therefrom,

and power connections between .said power device and said conveyor mechanism.

5. A device for handling looseimaterial comprising a'scraper having head and tail lines connecting therewith for reciprocably movingu e same, a wheeledtruck having an incline mounted thereon, said incline comprising upper. and lower portions, power devices for said scraper locatedbeneath the upper member, and means permitting rocking movement, of said lower member on a transverse axis with its rear extremity mov- {ablg'iforwardly of the front boundary of sisal powen-devices. a A deviceggfor'handllng loose material c mpr ls nga scraper having head and tail 211E198 egnnected' "therewith for reciprocably moving'th ame, a wheeled truck having an incline mounted thereon, said incline comrisin u er and lower ortions means erends, power devices for said scraper located beneath the upper member; conveyor mechanism along the bottom of said upper member to discharge materials from the upper end thereof, power devices for said scraper, andoperating means between said conveyordevice and saidrpowerdevices. u

loose material F 7 A device for. handling p comprising ascraper'having a head rope and tail rope for reciprocable movement thereof, a truck having an incline mounted thereon, a pair of spaced conveyor devices arranged longitudinally adjacent the upper end of said said incline and between said conveyor devices adapted for engagement with the head 'rope,-and power devices beneath said incline incline, guide means atthe upper margin of '8. A device for handling loose material comprising a scraperhaving a head line and a tail line adapted for reciprocably moving v the same, direction changing means for said scraper, and a combined loading chute and transporting device adapted in operation to bepositioned remote from said direction changing means and comprising a wheeled truck having an inclined portion thereon adapted during the loading operation to providean inclined chutescooperating with the scraper to elevate the same and discharge the material therefrom beyond said wheeled truck, and having a lower portion thereofmovable on a transverse axis and adapted to receive said scraper and direction changing devices in supported relation thereon.

9. A combined loading chute and transportation device comprising a wheeled truck having a main frame and an inclined chute on said frame comprising upper and lower portions normally in alignment with each other, both of said portions being mounted for rocking movement on said'main frame and adjustable into position substantially horizontal with respect thereto. 7

.10. A combined loading chute and transporting device comprising a wheeled truck ,hgvinga main frame and an inclined ch ute on said frame comprising upper and lower portions normally inalignment with each other, the lower portion having its extreme end adapted to engagethe ground, means according rocking movement of said lower portion bodily about a transverse axis intermediate its ends, and means affording rocking movement of sai rear'portion about a transverse axis adjacent its lower end.

11. A device for handling loose material comprising a'portable power device and an incline mounted thereon comprising two portions normally in alignment with each other, means permitting rocking movement of the lower portion about a transverse axis, means permitting rocking movement of said upper portion about a transverse axis adjacent its .lower end, conveyor mechanism along the bottom of the upper portion adapted to discharge material rearwardly therefrom, and power connections between said power device and said conveyor mechanism.

12. A device for handling loose'material comprising a portable power device and an incline mounted thereon comprising two portions normally in alignment with each other, means permitting rocking movement of the lower portion about a transverse axis means permitting rocking movement of said upper portion about a transverse axis adj acent its lower end, conveyor mechanism along the bottom of the upper portion adapted to discharge material rearwardly therefrom, power connections between said power device and said conveyor mechanism at the upper end thereof, and compensating means permitting driving engagement in all permissible positions of said upper portion.

13. A device for handling loose material comprising a scraper havin head and tail lines connected therewith or reciprocably moving the same, a wheeled truck having an incline mounted. thereon, said incline comprising rear and lower portions, power devices for said scraper located beneath the upper member, means permitting rocking movement of said lower member on a transverse aXis with its rear extremity movable forwardly of the front boundary of said power devices, and means permitting rocking movement of said upper member on a transverse axis above said power dBVlCS..

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 18th day of February, A. D. 192

CHARLES E. DAVIS. 

